Meeting WFP Executive Director, Foreign Minister Retno Discusses Free Nutrition Eating Program To Starvation

Foreign Minister Retno met WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi discussed a number related to food and hunger programs, when meeting with UN World Food Program (WFP) Executive Director Cindy McCain on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UN) meeting in New York, United States Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Retno's Meeting with WFP Executive Director discussed the initiative of the School Food Coalition.

"The purpose of this initiative is in line with Indonesia's national vision to improve children's nutrition and contribute to the development of human resources, in order to realize the 2045 Golden Indonesia Vision," said Foreign Minister Retno, in a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wednesday, September 25.

The meeting also discussed Indonesia's plan to increase its role as a country providing food aid grants, especially to countries affected by the conflict, including through the potential expansion of Indonesia's high-energy biscuits assistance program to areas most in need, such as Afghanistan and Ethiopia.

On this occasion, Foreign Minister Retno also invited WFP to explore joint initiatives that integrate water and sanitation solutions in hunger alleviation strategies.

"The availability and quality of water have a direct impact on food security and hunger alleviation efforts," said Foreign Minister Retno, adding that more than two billion people live in countries with inadequate water supply.

It is known that global conflicts, economic crises, climate change, have had an impact on food crises in various parts of the world.

UN World Food Program data in 2024 shows that around 309 million people experience chronic hunger in 71 countries.

The increase in the number of starving people in the world that is still happening is a challenge in achieving the Sustainable Development Target.

UN World Food Program itself has become a close partner of Indonesia in developing the capacity and technical assistance of various stakeholders, including the government, in dealing with the threat of food insecurity.